Exercising is not only good for the body. It is also good for keeping your brain sharp. In as much as you need to work out to help your muscle cells grow and engage in brain fitness exercises to strengthen your brain, you can boost your brain power further by hitting the gym. Physical exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, benefits the brain function, from the molecular level to the behavioral level. Even a 20-minute exercise is good for brain enhancement, according to the research done by the University of Georgia’s Department of Exercise Science.
Exercise helps the brain because as the activity increases your heart rate, it distributes more oxygen to the brain. It also stimulates the body to release a wide variety of hormones, which encourages the development of brain cells.
Exercise also improves the plasticity of the brain by improving the connections between the brain cells in several cortical areas. According to a UCLA study, exercise boosts the development of new neuronal connections.
Running produces hormones that counteract stress hormones, making it an effective antidepressant. It also stimulates the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus, which controls memory and learning.
Here are some more tips on exercising for the brain:
Any workout that improves the heart helps the brain.
Aerobic exercise is great for the mind and body and repairs damaged brain cells.
Exercising before going to work prepares the brain for the rest of the activities of the day and increases brain activity. It also improves memory retention and your reaction to different situations.
Workouts can be changed from time to time. Aside from aerobic exercises, you can also try workouts that
challenge your coordination, such as dancing.
Gym time can be spent on circuit workouts.
Jumping jacks can help relieve mental exhaustion or fatigue.
Exercise isn’t the only way to naturally improve your brains functions, food plays a major role in the workings of our brain almost every thing we eat plays a role. Why not take a look at the Best Foods For Brain Vitamins too see if you can check any off your list. Or perhaps you already get a healthy dose of each of these brain foods, either way go to our home page and check out the latest updates.